Hi Dan, new grower here. Sorry, haven't read the bit of information. Usually I take the time, but after skimming through it I think its a concentrated version of what I already read in other places. Its nice to find the information here, don't get me wrong

(I'm also very stoned and very lazy tonight haha)
You first asked "
I am curious about peoples preference with trichome ripeness and its effect. Most people appear to strive for peak THC. I myself am no different. But how many actually like the couchlock effect of amber trichomes and how many don't and why ?" and that's what I wanna answer.
I like couchlock! Its not even I like, its I need.
Sativa, according to what I understood, how I feel when I smoked some low grade (I've smoked only once some high grade marijuana. Hope to smoke more when I will harvest), is more for a recreational purpose. It makes you laugh.
Indica, is more for a medicinal purpose, due to its CBD content. This one is supposed to be couchlock.
Me, big stressed guy, suffering from insomnia and anxiety -panic attack at the worst times-, I grew to like Indica. It took me time to understand that I wasn't smoking it like others, they smoke it to have fun. I smoke it to relax. So about tricomes, I think I need 2 types of weed, one of the day, one for the night. Night one I would like to have it covered with amber, a joint of this and its sleepy time no doubt about it. (I hope, I guess it also depends on the strain

) Day time, that's the tricky one. It should relax, but let me do the work, focused even. So a good strain that has a reputation for such effect, with some amber tricomes but not all. Most clear.
Like I said I'm a new grower, haven't harvested even once. Will have a better judgement after this fall. (8 plants, 5 different strains)